4/22/26 Temple and Elder Gong

Good day all,

This email is coming to you in the middle of the week because P-day and temple trips have become synonymous with each other. Meaning today was my first day to rest after starting this transfer. And man was that first week crazy.
First big events was visiting the Temple on Friday with our recent convert Billy he is in a wheelchair so he didn't get in the water for baptisms but he was super ready for the temple and he did the confirmations for his family names. Afterwards we went to the visitors center and as we were getting the mini intro to the temple from the sisters missionaries there the craziest thing happened. In the visitors center there are some conference rooms and the door to one of them opened... and Elder Gong, Elder Wadda (Area Presidency), and the temple president mosey on out and straight out of the building. A delightful cherry on top of the visit to the temple.
The next day was the meeting with Elder Gong. Early morning ride up to Santa Rosa and the entire mission was there. Sister Gong came first and did a little QnA about missionary work and her experience. Found out she served her mission in Taiwan and loves the place.
Elder Gong arrived we took a group photo and he took the time to briefly share our hands and learn our names. It was truly a moving experience. He then shared a message on how missionaries can find ways to strengthen our work, and then he said he was planning on sharing something different but proceeded to share about the temples and how important they are to faith as the scriptures. The rest of the day paved in comparison to meeting an Apostle of the Lord in the morning. 
The next day we had a stake conference where Elder Wadda shared more blessed messages. And by recommendation of President Quinn he called 2 missionaries from the crowd to help him is sharing a part of his message. Fortunately I was not put in the hot seat and they chose a very experienced missionary Sister Myers and an elder with only 3 months experience Elder Reid. They both killed it and everyone learned a lot more thanks to their help.
That pretty much wrapped up the highlights of this week. I wish you all have a blessed rest of your week. You will hear from me again on Monday.

Peace,
Elder Hsu

Pics-
1- Elder Reese and I
2- The District at the temple
3- the mission with Elder Gong
4- comparison photo of the shoes I have used for the last 15 months versus the brand new ones.
5- cat of the week named Bear

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